At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative gluten-free and vegan cakes from concept to launch.
- Company: Lola’s Cupcakes, a family-owned business with a passion for quality.
- Benefits: 50% off cakes, birthday leave, 28 days annual leave, and training grants.
- Other info: Full-time role in West London with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and make delicious products that cater to modern dietary needs.
- Qualifications: Degree in food development and experience in a creative food role required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are looking for a creative and enthusiastic food product developer to work in our NPD team, creating new products from concept to launch, from designing cakes and developing new flavours and much more.
About Us
Lola’s was founded in 2006. Formed by two friends but now a family-owned business. Lola’s is now operating over 35 outlets and a significant online business with an extensive range of cakes and cupcakes including many vegan and gluten-free options. Lola’s has continued to grow, yet holds onto its original ethos of using only the finest ingredients and baking fresh, every single day. We make sure to look after all our team and offer great opportunities to learn new skills and progress within the company, through a structured training program. Internal progression is evident everywhere across the company, indeed virtually all management started in junior positions.
Your Responsibilities
- To work closely within a small team of product developers to design and create new cake designs and flavours.
- To communicate well with the production team in launching and training in new products.
- To work on both technical projects as well as design projects and existing recipe development.
- To work on developing gluten-free and vegan products for our gluten-free bakery and keeping up with the ever-changing market.
- To develop new food products and improve existing offerings as demanded by the market and trends.
- Lead factory trials for new products to ensure that products are only progressed where truly feasible without risk to product integrity, technical standards and commercial viability.
- To be aware of and continuously develop understanding of trends, consumer behaviours, insight and new opportunities which may present business opportunities for the company’s brands or customers.
About you and Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in food development/science, bakery or in a patisserie related field.
- At least 2 years in the food industry.
- Experience in a creative food role.
- Good communication skills.
- Great team player.
- Fantastic time management skills.
- Cake decorating and baking experience, preferably extra knowledge in gluten-free and vegan baking.
- Computer literate across Excel, Word and PowerPoint with excellent oral and written communication skills.
- A real passion for all things food and cake!
Why work with us?
- 50% off cakes and cupcakes from Lola’s.
- Day off on your birthday.
- 28 days annual leave.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- A great pension scheme.
- Training and development course programs (you can apply for up to £1000 grant toward a program/course/training of your choice).
- ‘Me day’ giving you a day off at this special time of year for you – moving/child’s first day at school.
More about the role
The role will be based in West London NW10 onsite. It will be full time, Monday through to Friday. Competitive salary depending on experience.
How to apply
If you're interested in applying for this position, submit your application, cover letter/portfolio and any images of your work to Emily at. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions about the role.
Cake NPD Specialist – Gluten-Free & Vegan Innovations employer: Lolascupcakes
Lola’s Cupcakes is an exceptional employer that fosters a creative and supportive work environment, perfect for those passionate about food innovation. With a strong commitment to employee development, we offer structured training programmes and clear pathways for progression, ensuring that our team members can grow alongside the company. Located in vibrant West London, our team enjoys unique benefits such as generous discounts, additional leave for personal milestones, and a culture that celebrates creativity and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cake NPD Specialist – Gluten-Free & Vegan Innovations
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to people in the food industry, especially those who work at Lola’s or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! Bring a portfolio of your best cake designs and flavour innovations to any interviews. This is your chance to visually demonstrate your skills and passion for food development.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss trends! Research current market trends in gluten-free and vegan products. Being knowledgeable about what’s hot in the industry will show that you’re proactive and genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Lola’s family!
We think you need these skills to ace Cake NPD Specialist – Gluten-Free & Vegan Innovations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food and cake shine through! Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your enthusiasm for creating delicious gluten-free and vegan products.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your cover letter for the Cake NPD Specialist role. Mention specific skills and experiences that align with the job description, especially your background in food development and any relevant baking expertise.
Highlight Teamwork Skills:Since this role involves working closely with a small team, emphasise your ability to collaborate effectively. Share examples of how you've successfully worked in teams to develop new products or solve problems in the past.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we want to see your personality, remember to maintain a professional tone in your application. Use clear language and structure your application well, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for Lola’s Cupcakes!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lolascupcakes
✨Know Your Cakes
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of cake types, especially gluten-free and vegan options. Be ready to discuss your favourite flavours and any innovative ideas you have for new products. This shows your passion and creativity!
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to talk about your previous roles in food development. Highlight specific projects where you’ve created or improved products, especially in the gluten-free and vegan space. Use examples that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and teamwork.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since communication with the production team is key, practice explaining your ideas clearly and concisely. You might even want to role-play potential scenarios where you need to train others on new products. This will help you feel more confident during the interview.
✨Stay Trendy
Research current trends in the food industry, particularly around vegan and gluten-free products. Be prepared to discuss how these trends could influence Lola’s Cupcakes and suggest innovative ideas that align with their ethos of using the finest ingredients.
